ABOUT

Torchbearers is hosting 6 conferences across the USA and Canada in the summer of 2016.
This is a great opportunity to be encouraged by excellent Bible teaching and enjoy fellowship with other Torchbearers.

We have an exciting line-up of speakers, center staff and guests for each weekend!

We hope there will be students and staff (current & past) from all of our 25 centres around the world. See you there!

WHEN/ WHERE?

TOUR LOCATIONS

Winnipeg, MB CANADA

Canadian mennonite universITy

600 Shaftesbury Boulevard Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3P 2N2

We're meeting in the Lecture Hall, just inside the Main Entrance on the south end of campus. Enter on the west side of Shaftesbury Blvd, just south of Grant Ave and there is parking available. See you there!

Estes Park, CO USA

Ravencrest Chalet

WHO'S SPEAKING?

GUEST SPEAKERS

The speaker line up will vary from conference to conference but here's a list of all of those who be attending at least one of the conferences:

Richard Dahlstrom - Pastor, Bethany Church, Seattle
Richard Dahlstrom is Senior Pastor at Bethany Community Church in Seattle, WA. He is author of O2: Breathing New Life into Faith and The Colors of Hope and regularly teaches at some of the European Torchbearers centers. He is married to Donna and they have 3 adult children. Richard enjoys skiing, rock climbing, writing, hiking and reading.

Zane Black - Christ Plus Nothing, Torchbearers International
Formerly a student and then staff at Timberline Lodge, Zane Black now enjoys discipling and walking through life with students. He is married to Rachel and they have 2 children. They currently serve as Torchbearers representatives as they travel and speak at different churches and youth events across the nation, and serve with Dare2Share ministries.

Chris Thomas - General Director, Torchbearers International
Chris Thomas was born in Nottingham, England, but grew up at Capernwray Hall, meaning he was really born into the Torchbearers Ministry! He attended College at Columbia International University in South Carolina and was called by his dad (Ian Thomas, the founder of Torchbearers International) to direct Ravencrest and then subsequently to assume the position of International Director of Torchbearers. Chris is married to Bonnie, has three adult sons, and enjoys geocaching, calling it his ‘evangelistic tool!’

Frank Cirone - Ravencrest Chalet
After attending Bible school, Frank Cirone joined the staff at Ravencrest Chalet. Frank and his wife, Krista, have four children. Frank spends time traveling and speaking at various events in the United States and overseas, and loves watching his kids compete in their various sports. Before coming on staff at Ravencrest Chalet, he traveled with and assisted Major Ian Thomas in his preaching ministry for some years.

Dave Firth - Capernwray New Zealand
After completing Bible school, Dave Firth returned to Capernwray New Zealand in July of 2008 as Marketing Director and to head up the Business Ministry Leadership course, having previously worked in the tourism, finance and marketing sectors. Dave also directs the Communications and Development effort for Torchbearers International. He has a passion for professionalism in ministry and integrity in the workplace, studying and teaching God's Word. Dave is married to Marsha and they have 3 children.

Dan Thomas - Timberline Lodge
Dan Thomas is the Director of Timberline Lodge, in the mountains of Colorado. A former Torchbearers Bible school student in England and Austria with further training from Columbia International University, Dan has also served as a pastor in Wisconsin and is continuing to grow in his role as a husband and father of 3.

Charlie Fordham - Capernwray Harbour
As Director of Capernwray Harbour, Charlie Fordham provides pastoral leadership, training people for Christian service and preaching God's Word locally and abroad. Charlie and his wife, Marlene, founded the ministry of Capernwray Harbour in 1979, arriving on Thetis Island, BC. Born and raised in India, Charlie has been used by God to point countless individuals to the person of Jesus Christ so that they too might discover Him as Lord and Life!

Peter Reid - Bodenseehof
Peter Reid attended Bible school at Bodenseehof in 1979. His wife, Gaby was first introduced to Torchbearers when her confirmation group was visited by a group of Bible school students in 1978. Both Peter and Gaby experienced the freshness of the risen Christ through these meetings. Because Bodenseehof has been such a significant part of their walk, they count it a privilege to serve together there and see Him meeting others as He has them. Peter is the Director and Gaby the Registrar at Bodenseehof.

Peter Bichan - Capernwray New Zealand
A graduate of Capernwray Hall in England, Peter Bichan has a passion for the Word and enjoys teaching its truths. He also loves climbing, kayaking and cycling. He directed the Adventure Bible school program for many years and has recently become Director and Principal at Monavale. Peter is married and has 3 children.

David Twite - President and CEO of Mac Donald and Owen LumberDavid Twite is president and CEO of Mac Donald and Owen Lumber, a global supplier of hardwood lumber. He is Co-Founder and Chairman of the board of Crossfire and Renovate Ministries in La Crosse, Wisconsin and Co-Founder of The Prayz radio network. David also is a Bible teacher and lecturer at Torchbearers centers, Bodenseehof and Ravencrest Chalet.

Matt McLean - Capernwray Quebec
Matt McLean first attended Capernwray Harbour in B.C. Canada for Bible school, as a first year student and then stayed for a second year. He felt called to serve with Torchbearers and was led to Capernwray Quebec. He has been serving there for over 10 years in the roles of Resident Lecturer, Dean of Students, Bible school Principal and Director. He met his wife, Jess at there and they have four children. Matt enjoys sports, music and writing.

Jon Forrest - His Hill

Jon Forrest was born and raised in South Carolina and attended Bible school for two years at His Hill in Comfort Texas. He later graduated from CIU and married his wife, Heather. In 2012, they returned to His Hill to come on staff. They have three daughters and enjoy living and serving at His Hill as they get to see Christ working in the hearts of students and staff alike. Jon is the Dean of Students, Resident Bible Teacher and the Camp Director at His Hill.

Connor Patterson - His Hill

Connor Patterson, originally from San Antonio, Texas, attended Bible school for 2 years at His Hill. His experience was life-changing. He went on to graduate from CIU with a Bible Teaching Degree. He now teaches students as a Resident Bible Teacher on staff at His Hill and is also the Assistant Camp Director and Outreach Coordinator. Connor is married to Jewel and they live on campus.

"Set your minds on things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Col. 3:2-3

Mark Thomas - Capernwray Hall

Mark Thomas is the second son of the founder of Torchbearers, Major W. Ian Thomas. Mark is the director at Capernwray Hall, the first founded Torchbearers center. He is married to Linda and their grown children live in North and South America. Mark desires everyone to grasp, apply and enjoy the Bible and he regularly teaches at the Hall as well as other Torchbearers centers around the world.

Charlie McCall - His Hill

Charlie is the director of His Hill, where he has been involved for most of his life since high school. A graduate of CIU and Dallas Theological Seminary, Charlie enjoys presenting a simple, clear teaching of the Bible so as to lead people to Christ and the sufficiency of His life. He also enjoys spending time with his family, hunting and fishing. He and his wife Patsy have 4 grown children and 2 grandchildren. In addition to serving at His Hill, Charlie has been the pastor of Boerne Bible Church for over 20 years.

Eric Ludy - President of Ellerslie Mission Society

Eric is the president of Ellerslie Mission Society and the senior pastor of the church at Ellerslie, as well as the lead instructor of Ellerslie Training - an internationally known discipleship training center. Eric and his wife, Leslie, are both talented speakers and authors. They have 21 books published including The Bravehearted Gospel and Set Apart Femininity. The Ludy's are passionate about the teaching and training of God's word, equipping young men and women to be effective in Christian ministry and orphan advocacy and they have adopted 4 out of 6 of their children.

Andy Thomas - Capernwray Hall

Andy Thomas serves as Missions Director and Projects Manager at Capernwray Hall. Over the years he has had the opportunity to help at various Torchbearers centres with building projects. He is an evangelist at heart and has a passion for missions. He has led many groups overseas on different missions trips and also teaches at Capernwray and other Torchbearers centres. Andy enjoys spending time with family, cycling and playing soccer. He is married to Laurie, who is in charge of the bookshop at Capernwray, and they have 4 children.

Luke Thomas - Holsby

Luke Thomas is the Bible school Principal at Holsby. He grew up at Ravencrest Chalet and later spent some years in Mongolia teaching English, where he also met his wife, Cheryl. They along with their 3 children live in Sweden, serving at the Torchbearers centre, Holsby. Luke enjoys soccer, hiking in the mountains, and spending time with friends and family. He also has a love and talent for the bagpipes.

Kelly Doherty - Business owner and Bible teacher

Kelly is from Louisiana where he was associate pastor for 2 years. With his wife Arlene and 2 children they moved to Comfort, Texas where they served on staff at His Hill for 23 years. In 2014, they felt the Lord calling them back to Louisiana to take care of Kelly's ailing parents. He currently owns and runs a business and continues to teach and preach in churches and different Torchbearers centres.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Schedule for the WEEKEND

Each of our Conferences will be unique - different venues, speakers and staff from various Torchbearers centres - but they will all follow a basic timetable (sample schedule below).

All of the Conferences will start on a Friday night and go through the following Saturday.

Meals and accommodation will not be provided at the conferences, but check out the 'More Information' links in the WHEN/WHERE? section for information about restaurants, cafes and accommodations available in the area. Or email lisa@torchbearers.org.

SATURDAY

1pm – 2pm Check out 'Centre Central' – where every Torchbearers centre has a display with updates, information and current opportunities. Drink coffee, catch up with friends, chat with Torchbearers staff and speakers.

2pm Seminars: more info will appear about seminar options at each conference.

4pm Reunion and break for dinner. Use this time to organize reunions with friends from your time at a Torchbearers centre.